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Cash replaces insurance at Heneisen's low-cost clinic

RINCON - Eliminating paperwork and providing low cost health care will be the focus of a new doctor's office opening soon in Effingham County.

A new concept of providing medical service on a cash basis in order to serve patients without insurance is the idea behind family practitioner Dr. Jack Heneisen's clinic.

A physician for more than 20 years, Heneisen said most expenses in today's health-care market involve administrative costs.

Clerical and administrative personnel cost money, more files and office equipment must be purchased, larger offices must be leased or purchased, paperwork for taxes and personnel benefits are added to the bill.

Patients are paying more the administration than for nurses and doctors, Heneisen said. Heath-care management organizations then skim their profits off the top.

People without health insurance and government benefits will be targeted by Heneisen's clinic.

"Forty-two percent of people who earn less than $40,000 a year do not have health insurance," said Heneisen. "An average family plan for medical insurance costs $600 a month. Can you afford that?"

Making office visits less expensive could reduce indigent care by cutting the number of patients who go there because they cannot afford a trip to the doctor's office.

Heneisen said he hopes to open his clinic off Ga. 21 in north Rincon during the next few weeks. He is also working with labs and pharmacies to obtain reduced prices for those services.